The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC has assured Nigerians that there are no plans to shut any network in the country ahead of the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for Saturday, February 25, 2023.

This is contrary to rumours making the rounds, especially on social media that the networks of banks and telecommunication companies would be shut between Friday, February 24 to Monday, February 28, 2023, which the commission has described as fraudulent.

A statement issued Thursday by the NCC and signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, said there is no iota of truth in such romours or messages and strongly advised that they should be ignored.

The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has been drawn to fraudulent and misleading information circulating in some social media platforms, insinuating there is a planned shutdown of all telecom networks and relevant ICT Units, including online transfer facilities of the banks, with effect from today, February 23, 2023.

“The Nigerian public, consumers of telecommunications services, and all bank customers are advised to ignore these or similar messages that insinuate deliberate network shutdown or disruption of services in the Nigerian telecom network.

“These malicious and subversive messages originated and are being circulated by fraudsters and unscrupulous elements in the society with the intent to cause chaos and panic among the populace.

“The Commission has received unequivocal assurances from all the service providers to the effect that all the network services are currently in optimal performance, and will not witness any deliberate shutdown or disruptions, especially at this very crucial period of general elections in the country.

“Therefore, all users of telecommunications and banking services utilising network facilities are assured of continued optimal service delivery before, during, and after the general elections in Nigeria.”